From Fleas to Fences, Schools Unsafe
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) was recently cited by the federal government for environmental health and safety issues at several Head Start schools in Guam. During a site visit, officials found various operational issues that violated children’s rights,...
Representing GovGuam Agencies and Alutiiq Bus Drivers
GFT, AFT Local 1581, exclusively represents the Guam Department of Education Teachers and Support Staff, Guam Memorial Hospital Nurses and Staff, University of Guam Support Staff, Guam Community College Support Staff, Guam Waterworks, Guam Fire Department, Department of Public Health and Social Services Eligibility Specialists, Guam Port Authority, Department of Public Works Bus Drivers, Alutiiq Bus Drivers, Guam Police Department, Customs and Quarantine, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Department of Corrections, Port Authority of Guam Police I and II, Port Security Guard (Armed), Psychiatric Nurses, Psychiatric Technicians, and Department of Public Works Sanitation Division.
GFT ANNUAL TB TEST & HEALTH FAIR: SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
GFT's Annual TB Test & Health Fair will be on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 10am - 2pm at the GPO. TB Tests are free for members and their families (while supplies last due to island-wide shortage). Health and wellness information from various vendors will also...
PORT BOARD APPROVES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
The Port Authority Board of Directors approved the GFT - PAG Collective Bargaining Agreement at last Tuesday's Board meeting. The CBA includes items such as work hours, scheduling, hazard pay and other employee working conditions and covers all Port Operations and...
GFT OPPOSES BILL 09-35
GFT supports adequate and responsible funding of our government operations. The government is our largest employer, drives the economy and provides essential services. When the government is inadequately funded, the economy suffers, people suffer, and government...
AFT SUMMER EDUCATOR ACADEMY
GFT member leaders attended the AFT Professional Development Summer Educator Academy, an event providing union-sponsored, research-based professional development that addresses the complexities of teaching. The program is designed to help local unions build their...
TEACHER VACANCIES
There are currently 34 teacher vacancies in elementary schools, 60 teacher vacancies in secondary schools, and 36 vacancies for special programs (i.e. opportunity resource teachers, GATE teachers, etc). Interested job seekers may view existing vacancies on the GDOE...
TEACHING, AN INVESTMENT TOWARD A BETTER GUAM
Teaching on Guam is not financially rewarding; rather, it is an investment toward the success of our Guam students. Despite the Legislature not showing respect to educators in way of low salaries and a nonexistent long-term retirement plan, the students of Guam are...
TEACHER MENTORSHIP AND BRIP
At last month's Guam Education Board meeting, the GFT Board-Union representative, Nicole Nadal, presented the list of teachers who contacted the GFT office regarding the mentorship requirement for certification. The list was then forwarded to the Guam Commission for...
GUAM NEEDS A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
Guam lags behind in wages compared to other states, no wonder Guamanians leave our beautiful island. The Economic Policy Institute (2019) tracks minimum wage increases and notes the following: minimum wage has increased in 27 states and DC since January 2014, 41...
NEGOTIATIONS REOPEN FOR GMHA NURSES
The Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations for GMHA Nurses have been reopened after GFT Chief Negotiator, Daniel Del Priore, met with the GMHA management representatives for clarification on management's requested changes to the final draft. Working conditions...
GWA NEGOTIATION GROUND RULES SET
Chief Negotiators for both GFT and GWA met and established the Ground Rules for Negotiations. GWA members who are interested in being part of the negotiation team should contact the GFT Office at 735-4390 or email irish@gftunion.com as soon as possible. The current...
PUBLIC HEARING ON MINIMUM WAGE BILL
The Guam Legislature Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs, Telecommunications, Technology and Labor will be holding a Public Hearing on Bill 136-35 regarding the minimum wage raise. The hearing will be on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 2pm and 6pm at the Guam...
PORT MEMBERS RATIFY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
Port members held their ratification voting for the GFT - Port Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) last Friday and have completed their ratification process. Port members voted to ratify the negotiated agreement. The CBA covers all Port Operations and Maintenance...